'A book for the people of South Shields': Authors create history of excavations at Arbeia to raise cash for landmark site

Two authors have come up with a great way to support a South Tyneside Roman fort.
The books focuses on a fascinating piece of the town's history.The books focuses on a fascinating piece of the town's history.
The books focuses on a fascinating piece of the town's history.

Jean Stokes and David Kidd have produced a new book about the excavations which led to the creation of Arbeia.

Their work will be available to buy soon and all profits will go towards Arbeia’s outreach and educational programmes.

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South Shields-born Jean and former Sunderland University graduate David, who now lives in Weardale, teamed up to produce the new publication which David described as ‘a book for the people of South Shields’.

The front cover of the new book.The front cover of the new book.
The front cover of the new book.

He said the project was carried out with cooperation of The Word, Arbeia, and the Great North Museum over a number of years,

But he added: "We decided to complete it now despite the problems of the pandemic because we wanted to publicise the fort and its collections at this difficult time for museums and galleries nationally.”

However, the story really goes back to 2017, said Jean.

That’s when she ‘decided to research and write a book on life in Harton Village in 1900. The research for this book led me to Robert Blair as in 1900 he was living in Harton Lodge on Sunderland Road, beside the Ship Inn and opposite the church at Harton.

David Kidd, one of two authors behind the new book.David Kidd, one of two authors behind the new book.
David Kidd, one of two authors behind the new book.
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"I discovered the part this man had played in the first formal excavation of the Roman station on the Lawe and how he had left his scrapbook of drawings and letters to the town.

"I felt that awareness needed to be raised, that there was a good story that needed to be told and how better than to raise money for Arbeia.”

David said: “As a young child I lived on the Lawe in a house in Beacon Street next to the fort. I did some research for Jean's history of Harton and we decided to work together on this book as we both thought that the fort was a central part of Shields identity which needed to be celebrated.“

The book is expected to be available within a couple of weeks and it can be ordered from Jean at Harton Village Press by emailing [email protected] at a special price of £15 including postage and packing.

Jean Stokes who joined forces with David Kidd to produce the new book.Jean Stokes who joined forces with David Kidd to produce the new book.
Jean Stokes who joined forces with David Kidd to produce the new book.

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